Ethan Allen Earns High Score for Sustainable Wood Sourcing – Home Furnishings Business

Report on Ethan Allen’s Sustainable Sourcing and Alignment with Sustainable Development Goals

Executive Summary

As of November 13, 2025, Ethan Allen has demonstrated a significant commitment to sustainable practices, particularly in its wood sourcing operations. The company’s initiatives align directly with several United Nations Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs), most notably SDG 12 (Responsible Consumption and Production) and SDG 15 (Life on Land). This report outlines the company’s certified sourcing strategies, its broader environmental efforts, and their contributions to global sustainability targets.

Sustainable Sourcing and Contribution to SDG 15: Life on Land

Ethan Allen’s procurement strategy is foundational to its support for SDG 15, which aims to protect, restore, and promote sustainable use of terrestrial ecosystems and sustainably manage forests. The company ensures the vast majority of wood used in its manufacturing is certified sustainable through a multi-faceted approach:

• Forest Stewardship Council (FSC) Certification: The company sources FSC-certified raw timber, adhering to global standards for responsible forest management.
• Appalachian Hardwood Region Sourcing: Ethan Allen purchases logs and lumber from the 344-county Appalachian Hardwood Region, which has been certified as legal and sustainable by the U.S. Forest Service and Appalachian Hardwood Manufacturers, Inc. (AHMI).
• Corporate Certification: The company itself holds a “Certified Legal and Sustainable” designation from AHMI, which is verified by independent audit every two years.
• Proactive Supplier Engagement: Ethan Allen actively works with suppliers to eliminate wood from unacceptable sources, including timber that is illegally harvested, sourced from poorly managed forests, or contributes to deforestation and the endangerment of wood species.

Alignment with SDG 12: Responsible Consumption and Production

The company’s operational framework strongly supports the principles of SDG 12. As a vertically integrated manufacturer, Ethan Allen maintains control over its production chain, enabling responsible practices. Approximately 75% of its products are manufactured in North America, reducing supply chain complexity and promoting local production.

Further commitments to SDG 12 include ongoing corporate efforts to:

1. Reduce greenhouse gas emissions.
2. Conserve water resources.
3. Minimize landfill waste.

Broader Impact on Sustainable Development Goals

Ethan Allen’s sustainability initiatives also contribute to other key SDGs:

• SDG 8 (Decent Work and Economic Growth): By sourcing from responsibly managed Appalachian forests, the company directly contributes to the economic vitality and sustainable growth of that region.
• SDG 13 (Climate Action): The explicit goal of reducing greenhouse gas emissions directly addresses the call for urgent action to combat climate change.
• SDG 6 (Clean Water and Sanitation): The corporate initiative to conserve water supports the sustainable management of water resources.

Corporate Commitment

The company’s long-standing policy is articulated by Farooq Kathwari, Ethan Allen’s Chairman, President, and CEO: “As a vertically integrated company and furniture manufacturer, Ethan Allen has a long-standing commitment to the responsible use of forest resources. In addition to manufacturing about 75% of our products in North America, we are pleased to source wood from responsibly managed Appalachian forests and to contribute to the economic vitality of that region.”

1. Which SDGs are addressed or connected to the issues highlighted in the article?

• SDG 12: Responsible Consumption and Production

  The article focuses on Ethan Allen’s commitment to sustainable sourcing and manufacturing. This directly relates to SDG 12, which encourages more sustainable consumption and production patterns. The company’s efforts to use certified wood, reduce waste, and manage its supply chain responsibly are core components of this goal.

• SDG 15: Life on Land

  This goal is central to the article, which details the company’s practices for protecting terrestrial ecosystems. By sourcing wood from “responsibly managed Appalachian forests,” using FSC certified timber, and actively avoiding wood from illegal harvesting or deforested areas, Ethan Allen contributes to the sustainable management of forests and halting biodiversity loss.

• SDG 8: Decent Work and Economic Growth

  The article mentions that the company’s sourcing practices “contribute to the economic vitality of that region” (the Appalachian Hardwood Region). By sourcing locally and manufacturing “about 75% of our products in North America,” the company supports regional economies, which aligns with the goal of promoting sustained, inclusive, and sustainable economic growth.

• SDG 13: Climate Action

  Although a secondary point, the article explicitly states that Ethan Allen “engages in an ongoing effort to release fewer greenhouse gases.” This commitment directly connects to SDG 13, which calls for urgent action to combat climate change and its impacts.

2. What specific targets under those SDGs can be identified based on the article’s content?

1. Target 12.2: Sustainable management and efficient use of natural resources

   The article highlights that the “majority of wood sourced by Ethan Allen for furniture manufacturing is comprised of certified sustainable wood.” This demonstrates a direct effort to achieve sustainable management and efficient use of natural resources, as called for in this target.

2. Target 15.2: Promote sustainable management of all types of forests

   Ethan Allen’s practice of sourcing from “Forest Stewardship Council (FSC) certified” sources and the “Appalachian Hardwood Region, which… have been certified legal and sustainable” directly supports the promotion of sustainable forest management. The company’s policy to avoid wood from “areas of deforestation” further aligns with this target’s aim to halt deforestation.

3. Target 15.7: End poaching and trafficking of protected species

   This target is addressed by the company’s work with suppliers “to eliminate wood from unacceptable sources, including timber illegally traded or harvested… and timber harvested… from endangered wood species.” This shows a clear action to combat the trafficking of protected flora.

4. Target 8.2: Achieve higher levels of economic productivity

   The statement that the company’s sourcing practices “contribute to the economic vitality of that region” implies support for local economic productivity. By investing in a specific, high-value regional industry (Appalachian Hardwood), the company helps sustain that sector, which is in line with this target.

3. Are there any indicators mentioned or implied in the article that can be used to measure progress towards the identified targets?

• Certification and Sourcing Policies

  The article provides clear indicators of sustainable sourcing. These include:

  • The use of Forest Stewardship Council (FSC) certified timber.
  • Sourcing from the Appalachian Hardwood Region, which is certified by the U.S. Forest Service and AHMI.
  • The company’s own “Certified Legal and Sustainable by AHMI” certification, which is verified by an independent audit every two years.
  • The stated policy of eliminating wood from illegal or unacceptable sources.

• Waste and Emissions Reduction Efforts

  The article implies that the company tracks its environmental footprint through its “ongoing effort to release fewer greenhouse gases, conserve water, and reduce landfill waste.” While specific metrics are not given, the mention of these efforts suggests that they are used as internal indicators of progress.

• Regional Economic Contribution

  An indicator of the company’s contribution to local economies is the fact that it manufactures “about 75% of our products in North America” and specifically sources from the 344 counties of the Appalachian Hardwood Region. The volume or value of materials purchased from this region would be a direct measure of this contribution.

4. Create a table with three columns titled ‘SDGs, Targets and Indicators” to present the findings from analyzing the article.

Source: hfbusiness.com